Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:26 PM AWST

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Prepare and use explosives

Prepare and use explosives

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCEXP303
State Code
OCT67
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
24/12/2020
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/05/2021
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
21/05/2021
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare a blasting site and notify stakeholders of blasting work, mix explosives, detonate explosives using fuses, and render the blast site safe following legislative, regulatory and workplace procedures. The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. This includes using discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources for blasting.State or territory licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply in some jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authority.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for blasting
  • 1.1 Obtain permits/licences and approved warning signs installed and prominently displayed according to legislative requirements
  • 1.2 Notify property manager, neighbours and controlling authority and other stakeholders of blasting plan and timing according to legislation
  • 1.3 Clear blast site of stones and other potential missiles and ensure the site is made safe
  • 1.4 Place explosive products at required safety distance from identified hazards
  • 1.5 Prepare holes for charge(s) according to blasting plan
  • 1.6 Remove equipment used for preparing holes to prescribed safe distance according to Australian Standards, legislation and regulations
2. Prepare explosives
  • 2.1 Calculate quantities of explosive components required to achieve the desired blast for prevailing conditions
  • 2.2 Transport explosives or explosive mix to site according to workplace health and safety procedures and legislative requirements
  • 2.3 Calculate the precise explosive components to ensure minimum residual mix to be destroyed
  • 2.4 Prepare explosives according to defined recipe and requirements according to workplace procedures
  • 2.5 Assemble fusing and detonating components for explosive requirements in preparation for blasting
3. Place charges
  • 3.1 Place or pack explosives elements in prepared holes according to safe working procedures, Australian Standards, legislation and regulations
  • 3.2 Stem and tamp holes prior to the attachment of the firing system according to blasting requirement and safety procedures
  • 3.3 Check electrical firing circuits or fire fuses for continuity and/or earthing
  • 3.4 Clear extraneous materials from blast site to safe distances in accordance with workplace standards
  • 3.5 Re-check blast site and surrounds to ensure that non-essential personnel are not endangered
  • 3.6 Place blasting mats or other control devices according to blasting plan
  • 3.7 Guard blast area according to legislative requirements and workplace procedures
4. Fire charges
  • 4.1 Implement prescribed warning notification procedures according to workplace procedures and industry standards
  • 4.2 Re-check blasting site to ensure correct placement of explosives and all safety procedures have been implemented according to supervisor or shot firer instructions
  • 4.3 Implement audible and visual warning signals according to workplace safety procedures
  • 4.4 Initiate firing procedures using manual or electric firing system according to blasting plan
5. Conduct post-firing procedures
  • 5.1 Ensure misfires are identified prior to all-clear signals being given by count charges during firing procedure or inspection of blast site
  • 5.2 Implement misfire procedures according to workplace and regulatory requirements
  • 5.3 Ensure site is safe and all-clear signal is given according to industry practice and legislative requirements
  • 5.4 Discard, destroy or store surplus, unserviceable and defective explosives and detonators according to workplace and environmental procedures
  • 5.5 Maintain records according to workplace and legislative requirements
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D6815 AHCEXP303A Prepare and use explosives Unit of competency